Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB) received a delegation from the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), on 14 June.
The delegation, led by Director of SOASCIS, UBD, Dr. Mohd Hairul Azrin bin Haji Besar, was welcomed by Deputy Director of BKISHHB, Haji Muhammad Ibrahim bin Haji Juma’at.
The visit aimed to explore potential areas of collaboration between SOASCIS, UBD and BKISHHB in various fields, including research, the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and other areas of mutual interest.
The visit also sought to provide international academic staff, administrative personnel and students of SOASCIS with a closer insight into the Islamic heritage collections housed at BKISHHB. This initiative is in line with the vision and mission of SOASCIS as a centre for Islamic studies.
As an institution that preserves and showcases valuable Islamic heritage treasures, BKISHHB also plays a role in collecting, researching, studying, developing and disseminating information and knowledge on Islam.
In this regard, BKISHHB aspires to serve as a centre for Islamic knowledge and heritage, fostering a culture of learning through scholarly activities, with the participation and commitment of higher education institutions in supporting and implementing related academic programmes and initiatives.
The exhibition galleries at BKISHHB feature a diverse collection of Qur’anic manuscripts originating from various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, Pakistan and India, among others.
These manuscripts showcase a variety of distinctive Islamic calligraphic styles, including Kufic, Thuluth, Naskh, Farisi, Rayhani, Diwani and Riq‘ah.
In addition, the manuscripts feature diverse decorative motifs and designs that highlight the beauty of Islamic art, including Islamic geometric patterns, floral and foliage motifs, as well as the use of vibrant colours.
Among the notable Qur’anic manuscripts displayed in the BKISHHB exhibition galleries are a copy of the manuscript belonging to Ahmed Syamsuddin Karahisari and the Quranic Stone.